A three week Galanthus Blog

[Lesley Cox]

Colour? You call that colour??

Thanks for this next episode John. Seems as if snowdrop people are very hospitable, but then, just about all gardeners are. Best wishes for the snowdrop day with Matt Bishop. There should be plenty of pictures from that.

[KentGardener]

Woke on Thursday morning to this view from my bedroom window.



You can imagine how much I wanted to go out and take a closer look.... but, alas, Jo's Garden will have to wait until another day's account as we had to wolf down some delicious toasted treacle soda bread that Mark had brought over from Ireland and then jump into the car for the 1 hour drive to Yelverton.

The morning was filled with an informative lecture from Chris Brickell on the Caucasus, an amusing talk covering a year in Alan Street's snowdrop life and a mouth watering slideshow of new Snowdrop cultivars by Matt Bishop.  We also had time for coffee and mingling at half time.  A thoroughly enjoyable morning that had me scribbling copious notes that I will no doubt get home, scratch my head, and think "what does that say?.."

Then a convoy of cars headed off to 'The Garden House' for a delicious cottage pie lunch followed by sponge and custard.  A very sensible announcement was made that the "snowdrop sales would not start until everyone finished eating" - I think if this hadn't been said some may have eaten their food rather quicker than is good for them!  One of my friends suggested we order a second helping just to delay things by an hour - but then decided that may have instigated a lynch mob being formed!   People started drifting outside ready for the sales areas of the 'Garage' and 'potting shed' to throw open their doors to those of us suffering, from what Alan mentioned in his talk as, OCSD (Obsessive Compulsive Snowdrop Disorder).  

With my 'personal obstacles' to large gatherings, I found the two sales rooms a bit too claustrophobic and had to get outside pretty damn quick.    But there was still plenty of fabulous snowdrops and other plants on offer even after the initial crush had subsided.









A few people happy with their acquisitions







Our attempt at a group photo - but we managed to miss off at least 5 other SRGC members - sorry!



Spring had sprung at 'The Garden House'

[Hagen Engelmann]

Greetings to the happy forumists, but I saw some other wellknown galanthophile too.

[KentGardener]

Some photographs taken around the garden.

'Esther Merton'


'Green Arrow'


'J P Long'




Just a small part of this beautiful garden




Alas it rained all day - but EmmaT was dressed for it.


'Fly Fishing' - I have fallen for this plant big time and it is now top of my wish list!


'Toby'  (I think I have the name right?)


After such a great day, and after having done all the driving, Jo still managed to find the energy to prepare a Chinese banquet.  And boy! What a banquet!  Roast duck with pancakes, prawn omelette's, vegetable noodle stir fry, Chinese tea.  I was sooooooo happily stuffed full of food at the end.





Alas my day was spoilt slightly when it came time to leave the Garden House.  We were among the last to depart and when I went to get my waterproof Berghaus coat it was missing from the coat rack.  It is the black coat I have over my camo jacket in the group photo.  Hopefully someone has picked it up by accident  but I am going to be lost without it this week on my Galanthus wanderings if we are expecting rain.  If anyone reads this and realises they have taken it by mistake could you please contact me on here or Matt Bishop at the Garden House.  Many thanks.

[RichardW]

looks very soggy, but at least the frogs are happy, went out late last night with the dog and passed a lot making their way to the ponds, agree about Fly Fishing, is very nice!

[Paddy Tobin]

Hi John,

It's good that the bad weather is not impinging on your enjoyment of the event. It does look like our weather here at the moment, lots of wet.

In the first photograph above, there is a man almost in the centre of the shot with a camera on his chest and looking towards you who certainly puts Steve Owens in mind to me.

Is that Emma Thick with the (almost) camoflage clothing looking at the cyclamen and again with her woolly hat holding her treasured purchase.

I recognise Mark with snowdrop in hand coming out of the outhouse and Jo in the bottom left hand corner of the first shot and I think you with a bunch of snowdrops - though they all look the same. (And here comes Maggi with her comment)

G. 'Esther Merton' looks very nice and 'Fly Fishing' also, the latter very like G. 'Fishing Rod' in my mind, lovely long pedicles which allow the flowers to swing around in the breeze.

Continue to enjoy and report.

Paddy

[Brian Ellis]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at this blog!  What treasures, have to agree with 'Fly Fishing' comments too, but one that has taken my eye is clutched by someone who had to rush out of the sales area in his hat?  Very long outers on it.  Good to see a photo of 'Esther Merton' too.  Thanks John.

[Paddy Tobin]

Oh, I see that one now, Brian. Yes, that is interesting.

Paddy

[Alan_b]

Is that Emma Thick with the (almost) camoflage clothing looking at the cyclamen and again with her woolly hat holding her treasured purchase.

Yes indeed, although if it's camouflage clothing it looks to be a feminine version with a floral motif - jungle camouflage perhaps?  Emma is famous for her knitted hats with snowdrop motif.     

[art600]

Fantastic photos under trying conditions.

It looks as if everyone had a great time - was the sales table cleared? and there is still the Gala to come.

[Olga Bondareva]

John
I can not say what I like more happy faces or beautiful garden or lots of different snowdrops! 

[johnw]

The Garden House, spectacular cultivars, arms full of snowdrops and Chinese food - no wonder so many big smiles.

Jo - Is the two-tiered metal pot on the table a rice-warmer?

johnw

[emma T]

Is that Emma Thick with the (almost) camouflage clothing looking at the cyclamen and again with her woolly hat holding her treasured purchase.

Yes indeed, although if it's camouflage clothing it looks to be a feminine version with a floral motif - jungle camouflage perhaps?  Emma is famous for her knitted hats with snowdrop motif.    

  yes that's me, i don't like to get cold and wet so dressed for the occasion , i didn't intend to merge with the background    
And yes that's me with my 'big boy '    I just hope it grows for me   I have been after it for some time.
All in all a fantastic day was had by all. I hope the garden house holds another study day  next year

[emma T]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at this blog!  What treasures, have to agree with 'Fly Fishing' comments too, but one that has taken my eye is clutched by someone who had to rush out of the sales area in his hat?  Very long outers on it.  Good to see a photo of 'Esther Merton' too.  Thanks John.

  everyone was asking what it was  

[KentGardener]

I knew I shouldn't have looked at this blog!  What treasures, have to agree with 'Fly Fishing' comments too, but one that has taken my eye is clutched by someone who had to rush out of the sales area in his hat?  Very long outers on it.  Good to see a photo of 'Esther Merton' too.  Thanks John.

It was a *******  everyone was asking what it was  

Emma - I was going to keep them guessing for days on that one